Auckland Airport is one of New Zealand’s most important infrastructure assets, providing thousands of jobs for the region. It had 71% of New Zealand's international air passenger arrivals and departures in 2000.[6] It is one of only two airports in New Zealand (the other being Christchurch) capable of handling Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

The airport is the fourth busiest in Australasia after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports. Around 2008, the airport was rated in the top 3 worldwide for airports handling 5–15 million passengers annually.[7] It was also voted the 12th best airport in the world in 2013 at the Skytrax World Airport Awards, as well as being the best airport in the Australia/Pacific region.[8][9]

It has a capacity of about 45 flight movements per hour,[10] using a single runway which is fully Cat IIIb capable (at a reduced rate of movements). A close by taxiway was upgraded for use as a runway when the main runway requires maintenance or for use during emergencies,[11] but it does not have sufficient separation distance to operate simultaneously with the main runway. In November 2007 work began on a new northern runway, to be built in several stages and to be used mainly by smaller aircraft, freeing up capacity on the main runway. However, the project was put on hold for at least 12 months in October 2009, and deferred for a further few years in August 2010 following consultation with airlines and a review of capacity management options. The timing of the recommencement of construction of the second runway will be demand driven relative to the capacity of the existing runway. The expected completion date for the second runway is now 2025.[12]

The site of the airport was first used as an airfield by the Auckland Aero Club. In 1928, the club leased some land from a dairy farmer to accommodate the club's three De Havilland Gypsy Moths. The club president noted at the time that the site "has many advantages of vital importance for an aerodrome and training ground. It has good approaches, is well drained and is free from power lines, buildings and fogs." Prior to rebuilding, this was known as Mangere Aerodrome.

In 1960 work started to transform the site into Auckland's main airport, taking over from Whenuapai in the north-west of the city. Much of the runway is on land reclaimed from the Manukau Harbour. The first flight to leave was an Air New ZealandDC-8 in November 1965, bound for Sydney. The airport was officially opened the following year, with a 'grand air pageant' on Auckland Anniversary weekend, 29 January to 31 January 1966.

A new international terminal, named after Jean Batten, was built in 1977.[13] Prior to this, all flights used what is now the domestic terminal.[14] In 2005, the international terminal was altered, separating arriving and departing passengers.

Previously taxiway 'Alpha' (parallel to the main runway) had been modified and designated as Runway 23R/05L so that rehabilitation work could be completed on the main runway 23L/05R. After the work was completed, the temporary runway reverted to taxiway alpha, although the main runway retained its L/R designations. In 2007, construction began on a second runway to the north of the current one. Initially the new runway would have been 1,200-metre (3,900 ft) long and catered for regional flights operated by Air New Zealand using turboprop aircraft. This would have cost $32 million and would have improved the efficiency of the airport by removing smaller planes (which require longer separation distances from the air turbulence wakes of preceding jet airliners) from the main runway. At a later stage, the runway would have been lengthened to 1,950 metres (6,400 ft) to allow it be used by small jets (such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320) on domestic and trans-Tasman flights.[10] However, in August 2009, the project was put on hold due to a downturn in air travel, and later in 2010 the project was suspended.[15]

Construction for Stage One started in November 2007. However, Stage Two will likely see the runway lengthened to 1,650 metres (5,410 ft) which will enable domestic jet flights to use it. Stage Three (final stage) will lengthen the runway to 2,150 metres (7,050 ft), allowing medium-sized international jet flights to land there, from destinations such as the Pacific Islands or Australia. Eventually a new domestic terminal will also be built to the north to better utilize the new runway. The new runway will thus free up the longer southern runway to handle more heavy jet operations.[16] The 10-year project would cost NZ$120 million, not including substantial extensions planned for the airport arrivals/departure buildings and associated structures.[10]

In 2009, an extension to the international terminal was constructed, creating Pier B. Pier B covers 5,500 square metres (59,000 sq ft) and has been designed to allow for the addition of new gates when required.[17] It currently has 2 gates, both capable of handling Airbus A380 aircraft.[18] In May 2009, Emirates became the first airline to fly the A380 to Auckland, using the aircraft on its daily Dubai–Sydney–Auckland route. On 2 October 2012 Emirates began operating the Dubai–Melbourne–Auckland with an A380, having previously operated the route with a B777-300ER.[19] From 2 October 2013, the A380 took over from a B777-300ER on the Dubai–Brisbane–Auckland route[20] This will mean that Emirates now serves Auckland solely with A380s, and Auckland Airport becomes the only airport in the world, other than Dubai, to have three scheduled Emirates A380s on the ground at the same time.[21] In 2014, Singapore Airlines was the second airline to operate A380s at the airport.

In 2013, the domestic terminal undertook a series of upgrades costing a total of $30 million. Stage one ran from January 2013 to March 2013, and involved changes to the drop off points and roads outside the terminal.[22] In the second half of 2013, the baggage claim belts were lengthened, parts of the apron was changed, and new corridors were connected to the jetbridges. The two different sides to the terminals now share a centralised security screening area following the upgrade and an extra storey was added to the western wing to provide an airside connection between the Air New Zealand side of the terminal and the Jetstar side of the terminal. The work took 12 months to complete.[14]

In early 2014, the airport released their 30-year vision for the future which envisaged the airport to combine both the international and domestic operations into one combined building based around the existing international terminal. This will see new domestic piers built to the south of the existing international precinct within the next 5 years. The plan also allows for the extension of the current international piers and also the creation of new piers for international operations. A new 2,150 metres long northern runway will be able to cater for aircraft up to the size of the 777 and 787 jets. New public transport links including a new railway station and line may be built in the future. The plan has been split into four implementation phases. Phase 1 will see all operations combined into one terminal precinct as well as improved road network surrounding the terminal within the next 5 years. Phase 2 sees the new northern runway constructed as well as the extension of the terminal forecourt by 2025. Phase 3 involves the extension of both international and domestic piers by 2044. Phase 4 sees the northern runway extended to a length of around 3,000 metres (9,800 ft).[23]

From the 2015 Annual Report, work will commence on extending Pier B in the current financial year. This project will allow for 3 more gates to be built. This will double, from three to six, the number of A380 aircraft Auckland Airport can accommodate at any one time. Also, it will increase the number of B787-9 aircraft that can be accommodated from six to nine. This development has been requested by airlines for greater capacity, in the future 4 more gates will be built on the northern side of Pier B.[24]

Auckland Airport consists of two terminals; the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal. The two terminals are located approximately 500m apart and are connected by a free shuttle bus service and a signposted walkway. The airport has 65 gates in total, 20 with Jetbridges and 45 remote stands for aircraft parking.

Check-in counters are at the eastern end of the international terminal building on the ground level.

Gates 1–10 are located in Pier A; Gates 1-9 are single-airbridge gates and Gate 10 is a twin-airbridge gate suitable for an A380 aircraft, but not two narrow body aircraft.

Gates 15 and 16 are located in Pier B, and are twin airbridges gates, each capable of handling an A380 aircraft with simultaneous double-deck boarding, or two narrow body aircraft each in the A320 or B737 class.

Gates 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 16A and 16B are bus gates used when passengers need to be transported to aircraft parked at remote stands.

Gates 4A and 4B are located on the eastern side of Pier A, and 4C and 4D are located on the western side of Pier A. They are accessed from the lounge for gates 2 & 4.

Gate 4E is used for groups requiring special handling such as sporting teams.

Stands 17, 18 and 19 are remote stands located west of Pier B. In December 2015, the airport opened a new bus lounge in Pier B (gates 16A and 16B) for bussing to stands on the western apron, particularly stands 17, 18 and 19.

Stands 70–73 and 82-84 are remote stands located to the east of Pier A. If boarding of aircraft is necessary at these stands, passengers are bussed from gate 4A or 4B. Stands 70-73 are also used by Jetstar regional flights and passengers are bussed from the Jetstar regional lounge (gate 62 and 63).

Stands 76-81 are remote stands located to the west of Pier A. If boarding of aircraft is necessary at these stands, passengers are bussed from gate 4C or 4D.

In 1993, the CAA instituted the requirement that all international airports in New Zealand must keep airside departing and arriving passengers separate. Auckland Airport was granted an exemption to this rule, allowing the airside mingling of arriving and departing passengers to continue, on the basis that all international flights operating into Auckland originated from airports with adequate security screening. Following the September 11 attacks and further regulation by the ICAO, the CAA required the airport to physically separate arriving and departing passengers by 2006.[25] In the interim period until passenger separation was achieved, flights to the USA as well as all Qantas, and for a short time Cathay Pacific, flights were restricted to departing from gates where a secondary X-ray and metal detector inspection was operating. In order to physically separate arriving and departing passengers, Auckland Airport decided to build a new departure level on top of the existing one, with the existing floor becoming the arrivals level. The existing departure lounges, which were separated from the arrivals corridor by glass walls, were kept, and escalators were installed to transport passengers from the new departures level down to each departure lounge. The modifications to the terminal were completed in December 2005,[26] and also involved the expansion of retail space within the pier by 600 square metres and an increase in the number of bus gates to four.[27]

The two previously separate domestic terminal buildings have now been connected by a common retail area. The Jetstar check-in area is located in the western end of the terminal, in the building previously used by Ansett New Zealand, Qantas, and Pacific Blue. The Air New Zealand check-in area is located in the centre of the terminal. There are nine gates that have jetbridges in the domestic terminal.

Jetstar domestic services operate from gates 20-22 (jetbridge gates) and 23-24 (tarmac gates), Gates 60-63 are used for Jetstar regional flights, 62 and 63 are in a separate building at the Jetstar end of the terminal and people are taken by bus to the plane at remote stands 70-73 from these two gates. Gates 20 and 21 are turned into 60 and 61 during peak regional times. Air New Zealand mainline services operate from gates 28–33. Gates 28 through to 33 all have jetbridges, while gates 25, 26 and 27 don't exist. Air New Zealand Link services operate from the regional section of the domestic terminal. This is located at the eastern end of the terminal and consists of gates 34–48 (excluding gate numbers 37, 38 and 44 which do not exist). These gates are linked to the terminal by covered walkways, and passengers walk across the apron to the aircraft.

Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) was formed in 1988, when the New Zealand Government corporatised the airport. It had previously been run by the Auckland Regional Authority, covering the five councils in the Auckland region.

The Government was AIAL’s majority shareholder, the rest being held by the local councils. In 1998 the Government sold its shareholding, and AIAL became the fifth airport company in the world to be publicly listed. At that time the major shareholders were Auckland City Council (25.8%), Manukau City Council (9.6%) and North Shore City Council (7.1%). North Shore City Council sold its shares in 1999 and Auckland City Council sold its share down to 12.8% in 2002. After amalgamation into the Auckland Council, the local authority now owns a 22.4% stake worth $1.13 billion as of May 2014.[47]

AIAL appears on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX: AIA) and Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: AIA). International shareholders hold around 40% of the shares, domestic approximately 60%. The company has a Standard & Poor's credit rating of A+/Stable/A-1.[48]

As at 31 December 2015, Auckland Airport was the biggest listed company on the NZX, with a market capitalisation of $6.85 Billion NZD.[49]

AIAL enjoys diverse revenue streams, and operates a 'dual-till' approach, whereby its finances are split into aeronautical and non-aeronautical balance sheets. Aeronautical income is derived from airfield charges, terminal services charge and the airport development charge (or departure fee). Non-aeronautical revenue comes from its significant property portfolio, car park, and retail income. Income from the non-aeronautical side of the business accounts for just over half of its revenue.[citation needed] The airport has been criticised by airlines, led by Air New Zealand, for its purportedly high landing charges. However research conducted in September 2010 by aviation consultants Jacobs indicates that Auckland Airport international charges are slightly below the average of the 20 largest international airports flown by Air New Zealand. Further research by aviation consultants Airbiz conducted in August 2010 indicates that Auckland Airport domestic landing charges are amongst the lowest in Australasia.[citation needed]

The diversity in revenue was of benefit during the downturn in international aviation following the events of 11 September 2001, and subsequently the 2002 Bali bombings, SARS outbreak and the Iraq War. The airport was able to rely on steady income from the non-aeronautical side of the business, which softened the blow of international events.

In July 2009 Auckland Airport elected to delay a scheduled increase in its landing charges from 1 July 2009 to assist its airline customers during the recession. The scheduled increase was put in place on 1 March 2010. The company has in the past reportedly been singled out by airline lobby group IATA for its consistent excessive level of profits. Airlines such as Air New Zealand complain of excessive landing charges.[50] On 5 June 2007, the airport's 60% profit margin was criticised by IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani. He said the airport had a "happy monopoly" and that IATA would ask the New Zealand government to investigate.[51]

Until July 2008, AIAL charged all departing international passengers (12 years old or older) a $25 departure fee. This has been replaced with a passenger services charge levied on the airlines for each arriving and departing international passenger. This charge has commenced at $13 and was planned to rise by 50 cents a year for two years to $14.[52] In 2012, Auckland Airport envisaged to cut the international passenger fee and hike the domestic travellers charges in FY-2013.[53]

On 8 July 2010, AIAL announced it had entered into an agreement to take a 24.99% shareholding in Queenstown Airport Corporation Limited, the operator of Queenstown Airport, and form a strategic alliance between the two airports. The shareholding will cost NZ$27.7 million, through the issue of new shares. The alliance is expected to generate an extra 176,000 passengers through Queenstown Airport. AIAL has an option to increase its shareholding in Queenstown Airport to 30-35% at any time up to 30 June 2011, subject to the approval of the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The new share capital from would allow Queenstown Airport to fund growth of the airport's operating capacity and to pay regular dividends back to the community via the Queenstown Lakes District Council shareholding.[54][55]

Auckland Airport owned radio frequencies over a 15-year period. It purchased the Radio Hauraki frequency 1476 AM in 1990, and began operating adult contemporary and flight information radio station Info Music from the domestic terminal.[56] It purchased 1XD Counties Manukau L Double L and its 1404 AM, 1548 AM and 702 AM frequencies in 1992, and changed the station name to Info Music Counties 1476 and then Airport Radio AKL1476.[57] The 1476 frequency was leased to Independent Broadcasting Company in 1993, which used it at various times for Auckland 1476, The Breeze on 91, Lifestyle Radio, and Today 99.8FM.[56] It was leased to talkback station The Point 1XD in 1994, and made available to Auckland Radio Trust to rebroadcast the BBC World Service in 1998.[58] It was sold in 2005.[59]

Two state highways connect to the airport; State Highway 20A and State Highway 20B. State Highway 20A leaves the airport to the north along George Bolt Memorial Drive and travels through Mangere as an expressway before joining State Highway 20. It is the most direct route from the airport to central Auckland, the western and northern suburbs, and Northland. State Highway 20B leaves the airport to the east and crosses Pukaki Creek before travelling along Puhinui Road to an interchange with State Highway 20 in Wiri. It is the most direct route from the airport to the southern and eastern suburbs, and the rest of the North Island. Currently the quickest route to the CBD involves travelling north along State Highway 20A and State Highway 20, before leaving the motorway at Onehunga and travelling along Queenstown Road, Pah Road, Manukau Road, Alpers Avenue and Gillies Avenue before joining the Southern Motorway in Newmarket and travelling north into the city centre. In light traffic, a trip to the central city currently takes around 30 minutes. Once the Waterview Connection opens in 2017, traffic will be able to travel from the airport to the CBD without leaving the motorway which will reduce travel times, especially during peak hours.

Skybus. An express bus which operates between both terminals at the airport and central Auckland. The bus travels to the Britomart Transport Centre via Mount Eden Station or Dominion Road and Queen Street. The Downtown Ferry Terminal is located opposite the Britomart Transport Centre, which allows bus, ferry and train connections to the wider Auckland area. The bus to the airport departs from Britomart Transport Centre, stopping on Hobson Street just before Victoria Street and then at 380 Queen Street. It then continues via Queen Street, Karangahape Road, Symonds Street, and then either Mount Eden Station or New North Road and Dominion Road to the airport. Buses operate 24 hours a day with a frequency of at least 30 minutes and the journey takes approximately 50 minutes. A 10-minute frequency is operated between 6am and 7pm, Monday to Friday. HOP Card is accepted but no HOP Card discount is applied. There is no Gold Card concession.

380 Airporter:[60] A regular bus service which operates between Onehunga, both terminals and Manukau City via Papatoetoe Station. Passengers can connect to rail services to Britomart Transport Centre at Onehunga, Papatoetoe or Manukau stations, with the quickest option being transferring at Papatoetoe. Buses operate half-hourly from 04:30 to midnight seven days a week.

There are currently[when?] proposals to provide a rail connection to the airport by extending the Onehunga Line across the Manukau Harbour. There have also been proposals to construct a rail line to the east of the airport to connect with the North Island Main Trunk Line near Puhinui Station, or to create a loop that connects the airport to both the Onehunga Line and the North Island Main Trunk Line. In 2014 it was announced that light rail is also being investigated as an alternative to a heavy rail link due to significant escalations in the projected cost of the project. All of the proposals are currently in the planning stages and there is no set timeline for construction to begin.[61]